Pushkar Puja
In the land of Lord Brahma, special rituals known as Shradh or Pitra Paksha are performed by families in remembrance of their ancestors. According to the Hindu calendar, the Krishna Paksha of the Ashvini month is designated as Shradh, with each day dedicated as a Tithi (date) for an ancestor based on the date they passed away.
As per the Padma Purana, Pushkar is considered the most significant place for performing Shradh rituals to ensure the departed souls rest in peace and find happiness. It is said that Lord Rama and the Pandavas came to Pushkar to perform Shradh rituals for their ancestors.
According to the Bhagavad Gita:
“acchedyo ‘yam adahyo ‘yam
akledyo ‘sosya eva cha
nityah sarva-gatah sthanur
achalo ‘yam sanatanah”
(Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Two, Verse 24)
Sri Krishna said: “This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting; present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable, and eternally the same.”
Since the soul is everlasting, it becomes significant to perform Shradh during Pitru Paksha for the departed souls to rest in peace. Shradh rituals are typically performed by the deceased person’s family members, especially sons or grandsons. If performed by other relatives, additional steps must be followed. The rituals, particularly significant when conducted on the banks of Pushkar Lake, involve several key steps:
- Sankalpa: A commitment made before performing the ritual, describing all necessary details.
- Pind Daan: Offering round balls of flour, created with special mantras, for the salvation of the ancestors’ souls.
- Tarpan: Sprinkling water while repeating mantras and texts from the Vedas.
- Mantra Recitation: The person performing the rituals repeats mantras after the priest. Two additional Brahmins are invited to the house during the ritual.
- Donation: The devotee donates food and clothes after completing the ritual.
These steps ensure the departed souls attain peace and happiness in the afterlife.
